Unsafe' structure cause of store closures at Coventry Mall

The Verizon store at Coventry Mall was operating out of a trailer and tent in the mall parking lot Monday, July 8, 2013, due to a forced closure of the store. GameStop, which is adjacent to Verizon, is also closed. A structural engineer’s report requested by the mall indicates the building is unsafe. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury)

NORTH COVENTRY — Structural issues forced the closure of two stores at the Coventry Mall last week. And while one of the stores has set up a temporary location, there is no indication on when the building will be repaired.

According to Deborah Russo, building code/zoning officer for North Coventry, it was Coventry Mall management that closed the GameStop and Verizon stores, which are located in a freestanding strip of stores on the mall property off Route 100. The third building in that strip — the former Lone Star Steakhouse — has been closed for several years.

Russo said the closure was ordered after two structural engineering reports determined that the building had structural issues and was unsafe.

“They (mall management) noticed some problems on the exterior. We also noticed some structural problems that needed to be addressed — both interior and external issues. We concur with the structural engineer’s report,” Russo said.

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Among the issues, according to Russo, is a wall on the Verizon building that is bowing and pulling away from the rooftop, as well as deterioration of columns in the basement, beams and the rooftop.

“According to the engineer’s report it seems like there was some water damage in the Lone Star,” Russo said. “Water can run into a foundation and the foundation can begin to deteriorate.”

Initially, Russo said problems were noticed on a canopy outside the Lonestar. She said the township talked with mall management about getting an engineer’s report. Russo explained that as that process was moving forward, an issue was noticed with a wall on the outside of the Verizon building, which prompted a full inspection. She said a second engineer’s report was done by GameStop and Verizon.

“We’re waiting for the full blown report but the letter said they concur it is unsafe,” Russo added.

The GameStop and Verizon stores were reportedly told they were to close at the end of business last Tuesday. By Wednesday morning, Verizon had opened a temporary tent/trailer facility — complete with multiple fans — to continue serving customers.

One of the first steps, according to Russo, was to get the yellow tape down and fencing up around the building to prevent anyone from entering the buildings.

She added that the township is working with the stores and the mall to get them in to new locations within the mall property. She said that a couple of locations that have been looked at were not suitable.

“We want to try to get Verizon in to a store first. It’s temporary where they are in the lot — they need to be moved in to a store. We need to inspect and get them in to a store that meets their needs and the codes,” Russo added.

As for timing of the repairs, Russo said it’s up to the structural engineer, the mall, GameStop and Verizon to determine when they want to do the work.

“I do want to stress that we are working hard to get Verizon out of the parking lot and into a store. We don’t want either business to leave. Right now, the buildings are safe and fenced off, and we’re trying to get them in to another building,” Russo said.

Coventry Mall management, Verizon and GameStop have not yet responded to requests from The Mercuryfor information about the situation.